Post by Gong on Feb 16, 2011 2:46:28 GMT
Institute of Virtuous Hope~
Redemption of a Matriarch~
Redemption of a Matriarch~
The time had been placed and the rooster bellowed across the estate to awaken the shadows, to notify the inhabitants that the day of the Dong reckoning. If only the time could be delayed, that the shift of status could be taken to another date far from the reality that they lived in. However, it could not be late nor posponed for it was a day especially chosen by that of the Matriarch. The times had come far from their own past and transformed into one where the fires burned with a ferocity that no one had ever seen before..they believed the days of Dong Zhuo brought suffering from the depths of the Nether Realm, those who were so ignorant knew nothing. The blades of war were far from over and the land would once again by devoured by a chaos so unruly, lacking in any justification of true virtue. If they fought for similar apsirations, why place war at the helm? Why drag the people who had suffered so much through another boute of terror? Was this truly for the peace and 'greater good', or the simply greed of those who could gain power?...
A breath was taken as the attendents gathered their thoughts and made swift of the short time they were given to make every preparation, the timing had to be absolute and the punish somewhat grave if any error was made. The Matriarch had oddly dressed herself this day, rising from an earlier manor to make the calculation of each sector and placing the orders to each unit of her staff. With the precision of any man, Furen had set about plans to form the luxuries of the horrid past into the aid of a blossoming future. To rid the blemish of what the ancestors had thrust upon her fragile heart and to make way for the peace to see a light, to guide each and every being to see security..to embrace the warmth of the result they must strive for. Furen could read the eyes, a woman of surprising intelligence could understand the judgement and knew how to use it; the loyal attendents not used to such drastic changes in their mistress' disposition. "I have placed the orders, follow them to each wish. Prepare the carriages, oxen and other attendents; do not miss any of my estate for the transportation..." A glance out of the window.. "All under my employ must ride in the carriages, you two shall take my personal carriage and take the lead behind me." The order was given firm yet gentile, a technique that the Matriarch had mastered quite well and one fulfilling the duty of a woman who headed two clans; that of her own and that of her husband...
Never before had the Dong employ ridden in the carriages of such high calibur, a few belonging the Imperial past that was 'bestowed' upon Furen's father. The carriages and oxen trailors were backed with boxes containing precious items that belonged to the Dong family...that now was in the absolute possession of Furen, for no other of her family had survived; thus, thrusting her into the high echellons of Imperial society. No matter how unwelcome the Dong family had become, the Matriarch refused to allow such beings turn their cheek upon her. Glancing over every detail, the Tyrant's daughter took time in making sure that each attendent had done as ordered and to the highest standards; for mere presentation alone. "..Now, we depart... Sound the drums.."
A small unit of male attendents had been requested to take the role of drummers, four in total in control of a large drum placed on its side; which was then mounted upon a trailor that was pulled by an oxen. They dressed in simple attire, as were all those of employ and took the colours of an off white; to resemble a funeral, but the tint to symbol the death of the Dong's past...
Into the streets of Xiapie the procession advanced, from the Matriarch's large estate rode the larger group that carried every piece of physical wealth that Furen owed. Her own attire was simple and far from the elaborate style she so adored, the robes were of the Han and complemented the off white colourings with that of a mixture of peach and lilac. The hair was allowed to be loose, showing off the hair that Furen had cut some days ago to prove the loyalty to Lu Bu and plead forgiveness for the shame she had recieved via the Blue Banner envoy. No jewels were present and the absence of finery was quite shocking for those who were close to the Matriarch. But it all had meaning, not to show that the dictatorship still remained and to show off the wealth that she had inherited, far from it. The eyes were focused upon the destination of this procession, Furen did not listen to any insults or derrogative terms that may have been hurled into her direction; for any crowd that would have been formed may have known that the daughter of Dong Zhuo was present in their city. The daughter of all evil survived the supposed eradication of the Dong clan, the Imperial forces had slipped their blade so that she could pass the execution and breath once more.
To the alter, the temple of the city that would be the place of such a show and only such could surely be seen in the dramas of travelling art troupes; however, this was reality and all would be spoken of truth. Within the public eye, the Dong clan were lower than peasants with their reputation thrown to the ground. As a shimmer of light glistened from the shadows, out stepped the unknown virtue of the Furen..newly established Matriarch of the Dong and now the Li caln, with accordance to her husbands absence. There was no lie in the fact that the Furen was nervous, this very occurance could change the life of not only her family..but her own. It would hopefully be combined with the words of virtue for women compiled into her own works, that were given to all women of every age and a gift to each...
Drums hammered home, the air was becoming ferocious and the Matriarch could feel the burning of her skin as the hatred was trying to consume her. Leading the procession on foot while every member of her employ rode in her carriages, the would was torn for the populace and openly they could see the blood that Dong Zhuo had drained from them. The boxes of silk made by their hands in time limits far beyond the Heavens, mountains of gold that were once in their own coffers wripped from their very beings from the high taxations that were put in place by her father..and..the jewelry and carriages of the highest degree, all 'gifts' from the Emperor, Empress, Empress Dowager, High Officials and even Minor Officials.. All classes within their society had been drained so that the wealth of the Dong family could reach the skies and view the luxuries of Heaven.....
The temple was a blessing, the place of not only worship but of security from all evils; no one dared tamper with such a sacred ground that could anger the Heavens and ancestors. Furen wished for the peaceful embrace from those on high, but could understand that many years could pass and still their may never be retribution at her door. Perhaps today could change this? The prayers were solid and the sacrifices complete for this very day, the beginning of forgiveness...redemptions...retribution. Standing before the large gates of the Temple the procession came to a halt, the Matriarch turned and looked upon the crowd that had gathered; a soft gesture for the drummers to cease their alarms. Each carriage and trailor was brought to both the left and right sides of Furen so that she would become the centre of the gathered wealth. "People of Xiapi, do not view me as the incarnation of my father's ghost." The Matriarch's eyes began to water, the voice started to shake and the tones ever so soft..as the very silks that were neatly folded within the boxes. Before them did not stand the Tyrant's daughter, a figure so terrifying that even the Emperor feared the mention of the name Dong Zhuo. Before them stood the figure of Furen's mother, the Consort who was forced into a harem of a man so harsh, but could produce something so soft..
"My family have much to answer for, the pain we have caused you all..the retribution and compensation you all individually seek from us. It can never compare with any experience I could ever go through. For this, I cannot speak more apologies.." To her knees the Matriarch went, she was unaware if the populace were shocked, however it took the employ by surprise that she would ever kowtow to 'mere peasants'. "I only hope that through my own actions today you can view the sorrow I must burden to repay each one of you the debt my family have caused." Furen's head touched the ground, the tales of her short hair no doubt resonating amoung the audience she would gain... She knew words would not suffice, the entire realm had suffered from the actions of her father and more had to be done; thus, the carriages. "Today shall be the beginning of apology.." Rising from the ground formed a woman of virtue, the history of Dong Zhuo rising from the heart and leaving the incarnation of her mother; the gentile soul who could not wish ill on a single being. A gesture made to the left, the attendents moving to the fore and doing as ordered when back at the estate...
A rush came, the servants had haste and the luxuries that built up Furen's wealth were destributed among the crowds; any family who were not present within the audience had a piece of the wealth (whether it be robes, jewelry, gold or even one of the oxen) transported to their very abodes. "Every peace of my estate shall be shared with you all, cleansed from the past it shall be the fortune of your future; do with it what you will... Sell it, treasure it or, even, throw it. All shall be the foundations of the compensation I owe you all." All was taken seriously, as the sole member of the Dong clan and Matriarch she inherited the large debt her father had gathered through his evil actions.... A gesture to the left, the eyes began to water once more as she could feel the pulling of her father's spirit, tearing at her very heart for giving away the accumolated wealth that took him years to gain. "The agricultural produce of the Dong estate too shall be shared to you, all of the grain my family possesses shall be distributed; the famine caused by my father must be repayed." Nothing was spared for the Matriarch to have as her own; chickens, cattle, grain, pigs, ducks..all that made up her estate were being given away to the families of Xiapi. No word was given to Lu Bu of these actions, nor to any other she knew..not even to that of her husband; however, the estate that Li Ru owned would not be touched, for she remained in the belief that one day he would return and do the same...hopefully...
"No longer shall I allow myself to live in the luxuries of tyranny, for the shame caused by my family must be repayed." Once again the Matriarch took to her knees, but this time it was not to bow to the populace. A gentile gesture to her two attendents, for them to bring to her the large cooking pot, a smaller bowl and a knife. "To all who suffered, you may believe giving away wealth a mere ploy. To prove my innocense and honesty of every word I have spoke; the ultimate sacrifice must be made." The large cooking pot had freshly made soup by the hands of the Matriarch, to the left of her it was placed with the smaller bowl infront and knife taken into hand. "First I cut the hair in shame, now, to purge as my father made you do.." Slowly the knife was dragged across the forearm in a diagonal slice, cutting into the Matriarch's skin..a murmur was made, biting her lip to keep the pain to herself..for the masses had felt far more pain than a mere blade's cut. "Furen!" The eldest attendent rushed to her Mistress, though any effort made by her would be futile for the headstrong character had taken form... Another cut was made in a similar fashion on the opposite forearm.. "Furen!" The youngest of the two attendents made to her knees, water showing in the eyes of youth to witness such an act from the woman she had continually served for many a year..
The blood that ran from the two wounds dripped into the smaller bowl that was infront of Furen, the pain was surreal and the loss of blood draining the life of her. "Such a sacrifice shall be added to the broth and placed to each family's ancestors, in hopes of forgiveness for the ills my family have caused." When a satisfactory amount of blood filled the small bowl, the Matriarch allowed the two attendents to bandage the two wounds on each arm in hopes that she could regain her strength. The male servants mixed Furen's blood with the soup and took it into the Temple where a bowl of the liquid would be placed in honour for the ancestors of all families that inhabited Xiapi. To the Heavens were a sacrifice of gold, fruit and meat buns, while the Temple itself gained a small amount of the estate...
Such wealth Furen owned now became nothing, no longer was she a woman of luxury and the feeling of the father's torture seemed like it would never leave.. Yet, with each clawing from his spirit came the elixir of the Matriarch's mother, she could feel the pride and accepting of everything she had just done. Would there ever be peace for her in this life and the next?.. "All that is left is the very Manor of mine.." The breaths became short, no doubt the body needed time to replace the blood that was drained from her previously. "It shall not be destroyed, for the plans I have set in place shall benefit the community of Xiapi. No longer shall it be my home, but the an Institute of Education; for daughters and granddaughters." Indeed schools for girls were rare, but ever since the Scholar Ban Zhao had placed emphasise on the importance of having girls educated the notion had gathered favour. For through this specialised education, the youthful women can be taught the skills of a woman; the art of needle-work, literary skills to pass on to sons, the abilities of medicine and of course, the significant talents in the arts. "Here the virtues shall be taught to each girl, with the emphasise of traditions and adherence. Education shall be taught by capable female tutors and shall teach needle-work, loom-work, literacy, medicine, music, song and dance. No matter social status, all girls should gain some form of education."
"Funding shall be through the salary I gain from the state of Xu, this should cover the costs of educational materials, uniforms and meals for each girl." It seemed much planning had been taken up by the Matriarch, who would establish herself as Matron of the School; but as she worked in servitude to the State of Xu, there was a matter of how she could keep the Institute stable. "For those who are concerned of my seriousness, when I am at duty of the State my two loyal attendents shall supervise.. Of similar mind as my own, their trust shall not be misplaced." To the two attendents it would be a promotion, but involving more work of a different nature..something they were looking forward to, as the reputation of tutors were far greater than that of mere servants. Furthermore, this was the first time the Matriarch had made comment of her own feelings upon them... "All male staff of my employ are free to return to their homes, take with you anything left here and I wish fortune come to you in this year; all thanks to your faithful duties shall not go unrewarded." Rising from the ground, with the aid of her two attendents, Furen looked to the audience before her; she only hoped their opinion was changing of her.. Hoping that they did not view a witch of the Nether Realm.. "To those who view the blessing of a child too burdensome upon the times where wealth is becoming scarce, do not expose them to death; a section of the Manor shall be formed into dormitories for those orphaned. Not only will they gain education and a chance for life, but you need not worry for their security and can visit them."
"From all this I shall begin repaying the debt...." Looking to the two attendents, the eyes were becoming drained and the body pleaded for rest. "Take me home, work must start immediatly." Furen was not aware if the public opinion had changed, nor whether they would applaud or simply boo as the two attendents made their way to return to the Manor. All male staff were free to act as they wished, if they desired to stay in her employ then they would be taken on as domestic staff to aid the upkeep of the School; whether through hard labour, or possibly starting a field within the gardens to become self-sustainable. No thought was made to the simple fact that she no longer had the vast wealth she enjoyed, the Matriarch had given away everything and would soon lose the home she had personally created. But a bed would not be given up, for within the newly established School she would live side-by-side with the two attendents...as sisters would. Also there was intention in the endeaver, the daughter she could not have would be replaced by the many students she would gain. Watching each develop would be as if the Matriarch had blessed her husband with many children, all to be proud of and to create their own future; bringing certain wealth to their families.....